Penny Rivers, a friend of the community, opened the welcome party on Friday morning: “There have been many dark days and longer nights of uncertainty. There have been times when it seemed return to your homes would never be possible.

“And at the lowest point of these times, it was our MP, Jeremy Hunt, who came to your rescue, who made that call to Waverley Borough Council and who personally monitored the progress of the refurbishments to its successful conclusion, which we are so happy to celebrate with him today.”

Mrs Rivers said it had been a privilege to support their close-knit community and she was looking forward with confidence to its future.